10 Car Brands That Have Totally Ruined Their Reputation & 10 You Can Always Turn To


10 Car Brands That Have Totally Ruined Their Reputation & 10 You Can Always Turn To


Cars and Controversies

It seems that all sorts of companies are finding themselves in hot water, and car companies are no different. With CEO debacles to weird re-branding, these are 20 brands you might want to reconsider keeping up with.

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1. Tesla

Although modern and praised in many aspects, Tesla has faced a number of critiques. Software glitches and long repair wait times aside, Elon Musk certainly hasn’t been helping his case. His controversies have hurt the reputation of Tesla, and the truth of the matter is there are other EV brands out there that do a far better job. Tesla will always be more of a status symbol than an environmental innovation, and in recent times, that symbol has been associated with public hate.

black porsche 911 on road during sunsetDmitry Novikov on Unsplash

2. Volkswagen

The 2015 Dieselgate scandal has damaged the trust of many when it exposed Volkswagen for cheating on emissions tests. Customers were left feeling betrayed as their cars were way less eco-friendly than Volkswagen had advertised. Even though they are focusing on EVs more nowadays, the trust is still broken and will take some time and honesty to rebuild.

black bmw m 3 parked on parking lotMartin Katler on Unsplash

3. Jaguar

Jaguar has had a decline in reliability over the years. Their EV lineup has received a number of complaints when it comes to the battery life and the consistency of efficiency. Not to mention, they have completely rebranded themselves from a classy choice to a weird and trendy pick. For more context, just take a look at their latest trailer.

black and gray audi steering wheelValery Fedotov on Unsplash

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4. BMW

Although a luxury brand, BMW has been criticized by many as one of the most expensive cars to maintain. With their shift in focus on the car’s “techy” look and feel, they disregarded the quality and reliability aspects. With that, many newer models need frequent and constant maintenance and tweaks, punishing the wallet of anyone who decides to buy one.

blue BMW coupe parked on the road during daytimeZan Lazarevic on Unsplash

5. Nissan

Nissan used to be a very reliable brand until recently. With newer models having transmission issues and a lack of reliability, customers have started to feel weary of purchasing a new one. This has led to a massive decline in Nissan cars being sold.

red Nissan vehicleJohn Cameron on Unsplash

6. Chevrolet

Chevrolet has been on the decline in consumers' eyes ever since the major recalls and battery fire risks. While their trucks are still popular, other cars have a huge reliability issue. This lack of quality and safety has led many to question the commitment of the company to making good vehicles.

white chevrolet car on road during daytimeEthan Currier on Unsplash

7. Mini

Mini cars are criticized by many as being way too expensive to maintain and repair, while providing very low reliability and safety. Issues like frequent oil leaks and engine problems are just some of many reasons why owners of this car are losing confidence in this brand. For a premium car, these issues are unacceptable and destroy the reputation of Mini.

orange bmw m 3 parked on sidewalk during daytimeDevon Janse van Rensburg on Unsplash

8. Lucid Motors

Lucid Motors is a new car brand that is already facing quality issues and production delays. Many feel that the quality and reliability of the car do not match the high price tag they come with. While not yet being as established as many other brands, the lack of a quality product may not even give this brand a chance.

File:Lucid Air Bahrain Front.jpgToyGTone on Wikimedia

9. Infiniti

Infiniti seems to be stuck in the same level of quality for years. With its competitors moving with the times, this brand seems to be lacking in innovation and technology. For such a luxurious brand, the lack of the ability to keep up has started to ruin the brand's reputation.

black bmw m 3 parked on gray asphalt road during daytimeGiorgio Trovato on Unsplash

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10. Kia

With massive recalls due to fire risks in several models, Kia is on the brink of losing everyone's trust. Despite offering long warranties, they are not worth the lack of reliability and poor customer support. Given that Kia has had many struggles in the past, a lack of quality like this heavily damages the trust of consumers.

Now that we have discussed the cars undeserving of your loyalty, here are 10 brands you can always count on due to their stellar reputation.

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1. Toyota

Toyota is known worldwide for making reliable and trustworthy cars. Models like the Corolla and RAV4 are favorites amongst long-time drivers. The biggest reason why many turn to this brand is because they last for years and give minimal issues along the line.

HScarphotographieHScarphotographie on Pixabay

2. Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes has been a luxury vehicle brand for decades. With excellent engineering and long-lasting quality, it is a good and reliable car choice. On top of having high-quality performance, it’s also a stylish and luxurious-looking brand.

silver mercedes benz coupe parked on gray concrete road during daytimeJakob Rosen on Unsplash

3. Audi

Audi has built a reputation for itself over the years. A luxurious and reliable brand that brings a perfect balance of quality, looks, and performance. One of the fan-favorite features of Audi cars is the Quattro all-wheel drive.

black mercedes benz car on road during daytimeDamian Ochrymowicz on Unsplash

4. Honda

Honda is famous for making cars that are practical, reliable, and fuel-efficient. Models like the Civic and Accord are known to run with minimal issues even after many years. Their vehicles are also affordable to maintain, which further gives people peace of mind when choosing this brand.

red Honda vehicleJoão Melo on Unsplash

5. Lexus

Lexus is Toyota’s luxury brand, making it just as reliable and high-quality as Toyota, but more prestigious. Owners of this brand praise it for a sleek and spacious interior, as well as an incredibly smooth driving experience. It’s a perfect combination of comfort, dependability, and luxury.

black Lexus carBrandon Russell on Unsplash

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6. Mazda

Mazda has been described by many owners as an incredibly fun-to-drive car. These vehicles have high-quality engines that focus on efficiency without compromising performance. They also use up little gas depending on what model you go for.

black mercedes benz c class coupeAustin Lowman on Unsplash

7. Ram

Ram trucks are well known for strong performance and long-lasting durability. The interior is modern and comfortable with many tech features. Truck lovers choose this brand as their go-to for another reason, and that’s the readiness and ability of the vehicle to handle tough jobs and stay reliable.

black chevrolet car on snow covered ground during daytimeRinke Dohmen on Unsplash

8. Porsche

Porsche has a strong reputation when it comes to quality engineering. Luxury and dependability go hand in hand when talking about any model of the Porsche. Being a luxury brand car that delivers on essentially everything it promises is one of the biggest reasons people choose to buy one.

black mercedes benz coupe on brown soilJosh Berquist on Unsplash

9. Hyundai

Hyundai has built their brand around quality and dependability. Many of their models are affordable, dependable, and also stylish. Another big reason why owners praise this brand is their industry-leading warranties.

red bmw m 3 on road during daytimeMartin Katler on Unsplash

10. Volvo

Volvo produces highly safe and durable cars that last for a long time. The brand has made a name for itself amongst safety-conscious drivers. With very affordable SUVs, it is a car that provides quality, reliability, and saves you a chunk of cash.

Volvo emblemAdam Cai on Unsplash




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